A FAMILY is mourning the death of a pet that was crushed to death when burglars tried to break into their home.

The chihuahua dog died when its owner, a 59-year-old man, fell on top of the animal during the struggle.

The man answered a knock at the door of his home in Cramlington, Northumberland, at about 8.30pm on Sunday, and two masked raiders burst in.

They forced their way into the hall, where a struggle began with the homeowner, in front of his 59-year-old wife.

The couple's son, 37, tried to intervene, but was threatened by the pair and instead, he retreated to the conservatory, where he contacted police from his mobile phone.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "During the struggle between the owner and the two masked men, the man fell back on to the pet chi-huahua dog and it died."

The two burglars fled the house empty-handed.

Detectives yesterday began a search for the thieves, who are believed to have left the scene in a silver or grey hatchback car.

The homeowner suffered minor injuries in the attack, but did not need treatment.

A police spokeswoman said it was too early to say whether the criminals would face any charges over the death of the dog.